Tag: CDB

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Gary Pinto Celebrates Sam Cooke With Tribute Shows

Gary Pinto has come a long way since his days singing and dancing in boy band CDB. Lately he’s been wowing crowds paying tribute to his musical idol, Sam Cooke. These shows have usually been one-of engagements, but Gary is taking them on the road with residencies at the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Arts Centre along with performances in Canberra and Geelong.

“Every night interpreting his songs was a different experience because the band would play differently, and I would sing differently, being in the moment of great soul music,” Gary reminisced. “Singing the performing this kind of music is very much dependent on the atmosphere and every performance is varied. The music traverses age groups from young to old, because soul music is timeless.”

Songs & Times Of Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come sees Gary celebrating Sam’s biggest hits. It’s no average tribute show. One elated critic declared “Gary Pinto IS Sam Cooke.” See what all the fuss is about at the following venues. Tickets go on sale on July 12.

27 September 2019 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
28 September-2 October 2019 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney
10 November 2019 – Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
14-17 November 2019 – Melbourne Arts Centre, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Hot Off the Press Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Tailored for Now – Eleven R&B Super Jams” – CDB

I’ve been conspicuously absent after taking another cruise. I know I just took one, but I’ve definitely been bitten by the bug. It’s easily my favourite way to travel. Only problem is, I end up feeling pretty flat when I come home.

It can be hard to shake me out of my funk, but if anything was going to do it it would be the advance stream of Tailored for Now – Eleven R&B Super Jams, CDB’s latest album waiting for me in my inbox when I returned home. Speaking of conspicuous absences.

Like so many Australian teenage girls of the ’90s, CDB were a significant part of my coming of age. I remember queuing to get their autographs one day at Sound World in Newcastle. So many things date that sentence. Does anyone do instore signings any more? And why have so many of the independent music stores closed? At any rate, I loved CDB as well as so much of the R&B music of the time. So to have the original members of this iconic Australian boy band back together paying tribute to that period in music, it’s the dream album I never knew I wanted. But does it deliver?

In a word, yes. If you loved the original songs, the music of CDB, or like me, both, you’re going to eat this up. Opening with “If I Ever Fall In Love,” Shai’s breakthrough a capella hit, is such a smart move. It makes the strong statement that CDB is back, sounding just as tight as ever. Without any music you can really appreciate just how insanely good the vocals are.

From there the party gets started, with floor fillers like “She’s Got That Vibe” and “Every Little Step.” There are softer moments too with hits like “End of the Road” and an a capella version of “All My Life” which in my opinion outshines the original. The final cut “90s Chill Medley,” featuring a little Tevin Campbell, Janet Jackson, Hi-Five, and Soul For Real, is a master stroke.

Under the wrong hands this album could so easily sound dated. But instead it feels fresh and so funky, a fitting tribute to the ’90s with slick production that makes it feel current. And CDB has lost nothing over the years. Their voices mesh as if they never went away. These guys could give any modern boy band a real run for their money.

Tailored for Now – Eleven R&B Super Jams drops on April 28. I hear word the lads intend to play some reunion shows to celebrate the album’s release, so I’ll let you know when those dates are locked in!

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

CDB Are Back!

Well here’s some unexpected news: CDB have reformed! If you weren’t a teenage girl in the 90s this will probably mean nothing to you, so let me refresh your memory.

CDB were Australia’s very own boy band. Along with Human Nature, they showed local girls that we didn’t need the Backstreet Boys or Take That. Their pop-soul anthems like “Hook Me Up” and “Let’s Groove” sold plenty, but then after two albums they disbanded.

But let’s face it. Gary Pinto is wasted as a back-up singer on Australian Idol. And I’d much rather see his brother Brad shaking his booty than working behind-the-scenes writing and producing.

So why reform now? Andrew De Silva sheds some light on this surprising turn of events.

“We have rediscovered the reasons why we first formed the band. The chemistry between us and the combined skills just amaze me,” he explained in a press statement. “It’s been great pursuing our individual goals, but there’s something really special about this group and what we create together. During our time apart we’ve acquired new skills and ideas that we bring back to the band. We have rediscovered CDB but this time with greater experience and promise.”

It looks like the lads have taken some inspiration from Human Nature’s recent Motown success. After all, their 90s contemporaries have managed to stay relevant on the modern musical landscape, so they’re a pretty good model!

So CDB are paying tribute to their favourite artists with The Funk Sessions. It’s due out in October.

Until then I’ll just have to be content watching old footage like this music video for “Hey Girl” on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Those white outfits make them look like they’re part of a cult, but those harmonies take me right back!